Josh looked more serious as he held Jake’s gaze.
“Go on,” Jake said.“You might as well say it.”
“It feels stupid,” said Josh.“It’s not my place, and I doubt with you that it’s even a concern.But I can’t help it.I couldn’t respect myself if I didn’t spell it out.”
“And I’d respect you less if you didn’t.”
“Thanks.Just … be good to her, okay?I know you won’t jerk her around intentionally, but when … when it’s done, let her down easy.People sometimes think she’s tougher than she is because she’s so capable.And I’m not saying she’s fragile or anything – far from it – but she’s had enough hurt in her life.Don’t cause her any more.”
“I don’t plan to.You know this isn’t just some passing fling for me.”Jake swallowed.Was he really going to say it out loud?Yes, he was.“If I believed in love at first sight, I’d say that’s how it was for me with Savannah.”
Josh let out a low whistle.
“Yeah, I know.I never said it before because I didn’t know if she’d even let me take her out.And now, if I crash and burn after one date, you can hold that over my head forever.”He gave his friend a rueful shrug.“And I’ll never once deny it.”
“Then I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.And for what it’s worth, it makes me feel better – knowing that she’s not the only one who might get hurt.”
Jake nodded solemnly.“You got that right.”
~ ~ ~
“He’s here!”
Tiffany leaned even closer to the window as she watched the small parking area in front of the apartment.
Savannah’s nerves were already on edge, and Tiff’s shriek made all the little hairs on her arms stand up.“Come back in here!He’ll see you.”
Tiff grinned at her over her shoulder.“That’s the point.I want him to see me.I want him to know that I’m keeping an eye out for you.The guys in this town are mostly scared shitless of me.”
“You’re right; most of them are, but I don’t think you’ll scare Jake.”
Tiff waved down at Jake, and Savannah had to laugh.
“You definitely won’t scare him like that!”
“What can I tell you?I know he’s a good guy – all decent and upstanding, with that whole military thing going on but without the stick up his ass.Oh!You know what, you should tell him that I’m on my way out, too.You don’t want him to think that he can’t come back with you later.Just text if you want me gone for the night.I can—”
“No way!For one thing, I’d never ask you to stay away like that – I mean, where would you even go?And for another, I have no intention whatsoever of asking him back here later – or going back to his place with him.This is our first date.”
She didn’t want to admit it to Tiff yet, but she was already thinking that it might have to be their only date.After hanging out with Jake at The Boathouse this afternoon, she could see herself getting addicted to his company all too easily.She’d love to go out with him, spend time with him – be his girlfriend!But she needed to make sure she was in the clear before she even considered it.She didn’t want to drag him into her mess if it came back to haunt her.
She shouldn’t have agreed to go out with him, but she just hadn’t been able to resist.
The sound of the doorbell ringing cut through her thoughts.
Tiff grinned at her.“We can discuss all of that later – and we will.But don’t keep the man waiting.Go!You look gorgeous – because you are gorgeous.And you were so right.Your jeans are perfect – not only because you’re comfortable in them but … girl, that ass!”
Her laughter followed Savannah down the stairs.But as soon as she opened the front door, she forgot all about Tiff.Jake stood there smiling at her, and all she could do was smile back.
He was a handsome guy; he had a square jaw, full lips, and those big brown eyes that made her melt.He was tall – she would have said too tall for her, but when he’d stood close to her this afternoon, it’d felt right.He was such a big, solid presence that he made her feel … safe.
“Hey.”
“Oh!”She’d forgotten to say anything yet.“Hi.”
“You ready to go?”
She nodded.
